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Full Idea
The definition is nothing but a resolution of the name into its most universal parts; ...definitions of this kind always consist of genus and difference; the former names being all, till the last, general; and the last of all, difference.
Gist of Idea
Definition is resolution of names into successive genera, and finally the difference
Source
Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 1.6.14)
Book Ref
Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.34
A Reaction
This is basically the scholastic Aristotelian view of definition. Note that Hobbes explicitly denies that the last step of the definition is general in character.